DICK CAMPBELL today completed the signing of Derry City centre-half Mark McChrystal on an 18-month deal.

However, while he was buoyed by his new addition, the Jags boss confirmed the Firhill club have contacted the SFL seeking a postponement to Saturday's visit of St Johnstone.

The flu virus that saw seven players miss the 3-1 Boxing Day defeat at Dundee has decimated the Jags ranks.

Campbell said: "Firstly I am delighted to complete the signing of Mark. He has been over on two occasions and he has greatly impressed.

"I believe he is the left- sided stopper we have been looking for. He has European experience with Derry City and was at Wolves for four years.

"For a player in his early twenties we are getting someone in who will make a difference immediately."

Of the injury and illness crisis, Campbell said: "Our chairman Allan Cowan is requesting a postponement of Saturday's game.

"We now have nine players sick and it looks like that will be added to before the day is out. I hope the authorities treat our case with sympathy."

Forfar were denied a similar request earlier this season - and lost 8-0 at Peterhead.

Meanwhile, John Kane admits his competitive debut at Dundee was a real baptism of fire.

But the 19-year-old, who only found out in the pre-match warm-up he was playing, is determined to make the most of his first top-team outing as he aims to earn a new deal at the end of the campaign.

Kane said: "It was just 10 minutes into the warm-up when I was told I was playing, so I was maybe a bit nervous, but I thought I came on to a game and hopefully I have done enough to stay in the manager's plans.

"At the end of the day, this is what I came to Partick Thistle for and I have waited long enough for the opportunity, so now I finally have a chance it's down to me."

Despite a nervy opening against the Dark Blues, Kane settled well and stuck to his task, but he admits that, with his current one-season deal up in the summer, his Firhill career has reached its pivotal spell.

Kane added: "This is it for me. My deal finishes at the end of the season, so it's really going to be a case of now or never for me if I am going earn a new deal and have a future at Firhill - and that is what I want.

"I have just turned 19, but I spent my time at Motherwell playing in the reserve team and, up until Boxing Day, it was exactly the same with Thistle.

"Now that I have had a taste of the action, I want more."